DANANG, Vietnam -- Even after U.S. President Donald Trump at last made clear that America intends to stay involved in the Asia-Pacific region, it is far from obvious whether bilateral deals that put "America first" will be enough to curb China's efforts to expand its influence in the area.
"Today, I am here to offer a renewed partnership with America to work together to strengthen the bonds of friendship and commerce between all of the nations of the Indo-Pacific," Trump said Friday in a speech to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit.